By Staff
Have a happy Fourth!
By Adrienne McKenzie
The Fourth of July is a fun time in everybody’s life, but it is also a dangerous time.
It is important to realize the risks of the holiday, but also have a good time.
First and foremost, do not become a Fourth of July statistic. Take extra precautionary measures when shooting fireworks, traveling and hanging out with friends.
When dealing with fireworks, it is important to read all of the instructions beforehand.
Some tips from The National Council of Fireworks Safety for having a safe fireworks show are:
Another dangerous endeavor on the Fourth of July is traveling. While some individuals sit around at their houses grilling hamburgers and hotdogs with their families, others may spend their day with alcoholic beverages. When drinking, be responsible. Do not drink and drive, not only for your safety, but for the safety of other drivers.
For those families that sit back and relax with a burger, take your kids out to see a fireworks show. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians will have a spectacular array of colorful pyrotechnics Friday night. But, when traveling to the fireworks show, keep your eyes open for drivers that are swerving or just do not appear to be safe. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Other than being cautious on the Fourth, it is incredibly important to have a good time. It is a day to celebrate our independence and the birth of our amazing country. It is a day to honor those individuals in the military who have fought for our country. It is a time for picnics with our friends and families and a time for the sand beneath our toes at the beach or creek.
Some fun Fourth of July facts include, on this day in 1776 the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress. The approval of the document allowed the 13 original colonies to start the nation’s sovereignty. In 1776 an estimated 2.5 million people were living in the United States. Now, the nation has an estimated 302 million individuals that will be able to celebrate their independence today.
So, sit back and enjoy some good barbeque on the Fourth. Spend time with your family on one of the few holidays we actually get off from work during the year. Be careful, but have a joyous day!
Adrienne McKenzie is managing editor for The Atmore Advance. She can be reached at 368-2123 or emailed at lifestyles@atmoreadvance.com